Dual bellow filter element with communication channels

Abstract

A filter assembly for a motor-vehicle air cleaner includes a primary filter, a secondary filter set apart from the primary filter, and a filter frame configured to support the primary filter and the secondary filter. The filter mount is fittable in and removable from a housing of the air cleaner, and includes a divider passing between the main filter and the auxiliary filter, the divider including at least two channels separated by a rib.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter assembly for an air cleaner configured to provide clean intake air for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a primary filter with pleats projecting outward; 
 a secondary filter set apart from the primary filter; and 
 a filter frame circumferentially surrounding the primary filter and the secondary filter, the filter frame configured to support the primary filter and the secondary filter in an interior of the filter frame, 
 the filter frame fittable in and removable from a housing of the air cleaner, and comprising
 a divider extending across the interior of the filter frame from a first side of the filter frame to an opposite second side of the filter frame, the divider passing between the primary filter and the secondary filter, the divider including:
 a U-shaped channel forming a groove extending along the divider from a first end of the divider to a second end of the divider, the U-shaped channel configured to receive and contact a edge of a divider wall of a housing configured to receive the filter assembly; 
 at least one rib formed in an interior of the U-shaped channel and dividing the U-shaped channel into at least two sub channels; 
 wherein the at least one rib is configured to contact the edge of a wall of the housing to space the divider from the wall of a housing, thereby forming the at least two sub channels interconnecting the primary and secondary filters providing leakage flow through the at least two sub channels formed in the divider by the at least one rib. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the primary filter is located apart from the secondary filter and 
 wherein the primary filter is taller and longer than the secondary filter. 
 
     
     
       3. The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the primary filter and the secondary filter comprise
 a filter media that is pleated and 
 the primary filter has more pleated media than the secondary filter. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The filter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the divider is configured to partially receive a wall of a filter housing. 
 
     
     
       5. The filter assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the rib prevents the divider from sealing on the wall of the filter housing. 
 
     
     
       6. The filter assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the frame comprises a resilient material and 
 the filter housing comprises a rigid material. 
 
     
     
       7. The filter assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the secondary filter is provided to clean intake air when the primary filter is clogged.